QPR and the five things learned from sorry defeat at Brighton

QPR were the second west London club in four days to suffer at Brighton - but this was different to Fulham's reverse, and here's how.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink must settle on system

When the line-up was announced the QPR fans were excited by the prospect of a front three including Junior Hoilett, Conor Washington and Matty Phillips.

The trio possess the necessary pace, trickery and flair to threaten on the counter-attack away from home against the top sides in the division.

However, just minutes into the first half it became clear that Phillips and Washington had lined up together up front, with Hoilett operating on the left and Karl Henry occupying the right of midfield.

Henry offers obvious protection for the right back but his attacking instincts are limited.

Hasselbaink must implement a system with his star players in their correct positions, something his predecessor Chris Ramsey never quite managed to achieve.

Conor Washington can lead the line but Polter partnership needs work

Washington started the match as the only recognised striker.

He performed well with his back to goal and ensured that QPR kept hold of possession during the early exchanges of the first half.

His clever foot worked allowed him to work some space for a shot but his left foot let him down and he fired over the bar.

He began to get isolated as the game went on and Sebastian Polter was introduced from the bench. The duo worked in tandem for just 15 minutes and created no chances before Nasser El Khayati replaced Washington.

The Little and Large partnership needs serious work on the training ground if the pair are to start together in future.

Back four need to consolidate

Karl Henry slotted in as a makeshift right back following Clint Hill’s substitution in another change of personnel along the R’s backline.

Paul Konchesky, James Perch, Nedum Onuoha, Grant Hall and Gabriele Angella have all been rotated in defence this season but QPR must find the best recipe and stick with it.

If not, they will keep conceding goals from set pieces like Brighton’s third through Connor Goldson and fourth through Anthony Knockaert with more second half shambles to come.

QPR could do worse than offer Clint Hill new deal

The 37-year-old veteran lasted less than an hour after playing two games in quick succession but QPR missed his presence and leadership qualities once he departed the pitch at the AMEX.

Brighton were reduced to half chances in the first half and took a 2-0 lead thanks to frankly unstoppable strikes from distance.

However, when Hill went off, the Hoops conceded from two corners with nobody there to organise. Onuoha may have the armband, but Hill still leads by example and the board should delay his coaching career so he can play on for one more season.

Rangers must stop shots from distance

With Henry playing on the right, it was down to Alejandro Faurlin and Massimo Luongo to shield the back four.

The pair are more than capable of retaining the ball and keeping it neat and tidy but they lack the defensive instincts to support an already vulnerable defensive line.

Hall’s looping header dropped into the space between midfield and defence and neither Faurlin or Luongo were anywhere to be seen when Jiri Skalak smashed the ball home from 30 yards.

Anthony Knockaert terrorised Rangers all night but it’s no coincidence that both of his strikes came from the edge of the box without a midfield enforcer in place.